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ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING – UNIT 8 Endocrine Disorders
120 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: DIABETES MELLITUS – ASSESSMENT &
MANAGEMENT
1. A nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes about
insulin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can stop insulin when my blood glucose is normal."
B. "Insulin is required for life because my body does not
produce it."
C. "I only need insulin when I eat too much sugar."
D. "I can take insulin orally."
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune
destruction of beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency;
lifelong insulin is required.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of type 1 diabetes?
A. Weight gain and constipation
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Dry skin and bradycardia
D. Hypertension and edema
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Answer: B
Rationale: The three Ps—polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia—are
classic symptoms of hyperglycemia.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes is likely to have which
pathophysiologic feature?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency from birth
B. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of alpha cells
D. Excess glucagon secretion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance
and progressive beta-cell dysfunction.
4. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for type 2
diabetes?
A. Age
B. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
C. Family history
D. Ethnicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Obesity and physical inactivity are modifiable; age,
family history, ethnicity are nonmodifiable.
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5. A client with diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 140
mg/dL. The nurse should interpret this as:
A. Normal
B. Impaired fasting glucose
C. Diagnostic of diabetes (if repeated)
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions
indicates diabetes.
6. Which of the following is a normal fasting blood glucose
level?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–99 mg/dL
C. 100–125 mg/dL
D. 126–150 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal fasting glucose is 70–99 mg/dL.
7. A client with diabetes has an A1c of 8.5%. The nurse should
interpret this as:
A. Well-controlled
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B. Above target; indicates poor glycemic control
C. Normal
D. Hypoglycemia risk
Answer: B
Rationale: A1c target for most adults is <7%; 8.5% indicates
hyperglycemia.
8. A client with diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "This medication increases insulin secretion."
B. "This medication decreases liver glucose production and
improves insulin sensitivity."
C. "This medication is given by injection."
D. "This medication can cause weight gain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and
improves peripheral insulin sensitivity; it does not stimulate
insulin secretion.
9. The nurse should instruct a client taking metformin to:
A. Take it with meals to reduce GI upset
B. Take it on an empty stomach only
ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING – UNIT 8 Endocrine Disorders
120 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: DIABETES MELLITUS – ASSESSMENT &
MANAGEMENT
1. A nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes about
insulin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can stop insulin when my blood glucose is normal."
B. "Insulin is required for life because my body does not
produce it."
C. "I only need insulin when I eat too much sugar."
D. "I can take insulin orally."
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune
destruction of beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency;
lifelong insulin is required.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of type 1 diabetes?
A. Weight gain and constipation
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Dry skin and bradycardia
D. Hypertension and edema
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Answer: B
Rationale: The three Ps—polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia—are
classic symptoms of hyperglycemia.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes is likely to have which
pathophysiologic feature?
A. Absolute insulin deficiency from birth
B. Insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency
C. Autoimmune destruction of alpha cells
D. Excess glucagon secretion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance
and progressive beta-cell dysfunction.
4. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for type 2
diabetes?
A. Age
B. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
C. Family history
D. Ethnicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Obesity and physical inactivity are modifiable; age,
family history, ethnicity are nonmodifiable.
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5. A client with diabetes has a fasting blood glucose of 140
mg/dL. The nurse should interpret this as:
A. Normal
B. Impaired fasting glucose
C. Diagnostic of diabetes (if repeated)
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions
indicates diabetes.
6. Which of the following is a normal fasting blood glucose
level?
A. 50–70 mg/dL
B. 70–99 mg/dL
C. 100–125 mg/dL
D. 126–150 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal fasting glucose is 70–99 mg/dL.
7. A client with diabetes has an A1c of 8.5%. The nurse should
interpret this as:
A. Well-controlled
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B. Above target; indicates poor glycemic control
C. Normal
D. Hypoglycemia risk
Answer: B
Rationale: A1c target for most adults is <7%; 8.5% indicates
hyperglycemia.
8. A client with diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "This medication increases insulin secretion."
B. "This medication decreases liver glucose production and
improves insulin sensitivity."
C. "This medication is given by injection."
D. "This medication can cause weight gain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and
improves peripheral insulin sensitivity; it does not stimulate
insulin secretion.
9. The nurse should instruct a client taking metformin to:
A. Take it with meals to reduce GI upset
B. Take it on an empty stomach only
